Reversing mechanism for washing-machines.



G. SIMON & F. BALZER. REVERSING MECHANISM FOR WASHi NG MACHlNES. APPLICATION man FEB. 8. 1915.

' 1,264,340. Patented Apr. 30, 1918.

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Wessex fivenfo rs:

G. SIMON & F. BALZER.

REVERSING MECHANISM FOR WASHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. a. 1915.

1,264,340. Patented Apr. 30, 1918.

3 SHEEJS-SHEET 2- fiiziessesr j Ti :6 a] er M G.'SI.MON & F. BA LZER. v fiE lERslNG MECHANISM'FOR WASHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB- 8. "l5.

Patented Apr. 30, 1918.

3 SHEETS'SIIEET 3.

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE SIMON AND FRITZ BALZER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS '10 TROY LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY, CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

nnvnnsmc MECHANISM non WASHING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent. 7 Patented Apr. 30, 1918.

Application filed February 8,1915. Serial No. 6,940.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, GEORGE SIMON, a

citizen of theUnited States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, and Fnrrz BALZER, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Chicago,

for automatically reversing the direction of rotation of the cylinders of washing machines. In the operation of various machines it is desirable to periodically reverse the direction of movement of certain parts, such for instance as the cylinders of washing 'machines, the direction of rotation of which is periodically reversed inorder that the articles may be agitated and directly subjected to the action of the suds.

The primary object-of .our invention is to provide mechanism for reversing the moving parts of a machine which will'be actuated by the movement of the reversible parts to so change the application of power to the machine as to effect the reversing of the machine.

A further object of our invention is to provide an electrically driven cylinder washing machine with reversing mechanism controlled by the rotation of the cylinder to effect the periodical reversal of the direction of rotation of the cylinder.

A still ,further object of our invention is to provide mechanism for reversing a moving part of a machine which will be efficient in operation,'durable in use,..and" comparatively simple in construction. 7

Our invention will be more fully disclosed hereinafter with reference to the accomanying drawings, in which the same is illustrated as embodied in two convenient and practical forms, and in which,-'

Figure 1 is an end elevational View of a cylinder washingmachine equipped. with our invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational 'view of the mechanism actuated-by the rotation of I the cylinder;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view looking from the right in Fig. 2; I

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of a cylinder washing machine equipped with a modified form of our invention; and,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevational view of the reversing mechanism detached from the machine shown in Fig. 4.

Similar reference characters are used to designate similar parts in the several figures of the drawings. Reference character A designates one end wall of the tank of a cylinder washing machine of well-known construction. B designates one of the end trunnions of the usual cylinder '6, inclosed by the tank A-and adapted to contain the articles to be washed. The structural details of the washing machine are not illustrated or disclosed, inasmuch as they do not in themselves ,forin parts of our invention, and a specific description of them is unnecessary to a complete understanding of our invention.

C designates an electric motor mounted I upon any suitable support D. The motor is connected through a suitable train of gear ing, such as a pinion 0, a gear wheel 03, and gear wheel 0, with a gear wheel (not shown) fixed to the trunnion of the cylinder which projects. from the opposite side of the machine to that shown in Fig. 1.

.The trunnion B has fixed thereto a ring F, on the periphery of which is carried a plurality of equidistant radialprojections f. A lever G is pivotally supported at its upper end upon a post G projecting outwardly from a plate H, secured to the endwall A of the tank of the machineby any suitable means, such for instance as a plurality of brackets 2 and H. The lower end of the lever G carries an antifriction roller. g, which normally lies in the path of rotation of the projections I. Loosely mounted upon the post G adjacent the upper endof the lever G, is a ratchet wheel J, the teeth of which are engaged by .aspring-actuated .pawl 1' carried by the lever G. The pawl is retained in contact with the riphery of the ratchet wheel by any suita 1e means, such for in-.

the oscillatory leverG, A gravity pawl I' is mounted upon the supporting plate H in portion of the a position to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel J and retain the ratchet wheel against reverse movement. i designates the weight of the pawl I for retaining the same normally in contact with the periphery of the .ratchet wheel J.

' Mounted upon the post G adjacent the inner surface of the ratchet wheel J ,.is a

cam K which is non-rotatably connected with the ratchet wheel by means of a pin k. The cam K is provided with two substantially semicircular surfaces. K and K the former having a Y greater radius than the latter. A shoulder 74 is formed on the cam ing a bell crank lever m, which carries two oppositely projecting contact blades M and M adapted to alternately engage stationary contacts m and m respectively, when the bell crank lever m is oscillated. A spring m is connected to the opposite arm of the bell crank lever m from that to which the link L is connected, said spring serving to oscillate the bell crank lever m to close the circuit through movable contact M and fixed contact m when the cam surface K passes beneath the antifriction roller Z on the bell cranklever L. The switch M controls a circuit for effecting the reversal of direc tion of rotation of the electric motor 0.

Inasmuch as our present invention is not concerned with any partlcular arrangement of motor circuit, we have not deemed it nec- .essary to illustrate and disclose electrical connections-through the medium of which the switch M reverses the direction of rotatlon of the motor. The switch M, which comprises the bell crank lever m, the blades M} and M and the fixed contacts m and m may be supported in any suitable manher, as by-means of a bracket M fixed to the tank of the machine. 7

In order to automatically return the oscil- I i latory lever G to a position in the .path of the projections f, after it has been oscillated bv said projections, we provide a gravity rnember comprisinga plate N supported ada'cent its top by means fof'posts O and 0 supported upon the plate H. The said posts extend through-slots 11, and 71?, respectively, n the plate N, The lower edge of the plate 1s provlded with an angular notch n which surrounds a stud 'g on the lever G. i The plate N is provided with a weight P at the port1on thereof adjacent the slot n If defrom the fixed contact 11?). of-the switch M changes the circuit condi t 1ons so as to reverse the motor and to thersired, the plate N' may have the requisite weight given to it for performing the necessary functions in any other suitable manner.

The operation of our improved reversing mechanism is as follows: The rotation of the cylinder causesthe radial projections f to successively engage the" lower end of the lever G and to. oscillate the same in a direction corresponding/co the direction of rotation of the trunnion B of. the cylinder. When the trunnion B rotates in the'direction of the arrow in Fig. 1, the lever G is successively oscillated toward the right, thereby rotatingthe ratchet wheel J step by step through the engagement therewith of the pawl j on the lever G. Each oscillation of the lever, G toward the right oscillates the plate N about the post 0 as a fulcrum, such oscillation being permitted by the upward movement of the slot n around the post 0 Such oscillation is imparted to the plate N through theengagement of the stud g on the lever G, with the inclined edge at the right of the recesses 02 in' said plate. When each projection f has oscillated the lever G to the right sufficiently to pass beneath the lower end of said lever, the weight of the plate N, acting through its engagement with the stud 9 returns the lever G to its normal central position in the path of the'projections f, so that it will be engaged by the succeeding projection and again oscillated toward the right. Each oscillation of the lever G toward the left causes the pawl j to engage a succeeding tooth of the ratchet wheel J, so that each oscillation of the lever G toward the right rotates the ratchet wheel a step correspond-' ing to the angular oscillation of the lever G. When the ratchet wheel J has been moved step by step a sufficient distance for the antifriction roller lon the lower end of the bell crank lever L to engage the inclined cam surface k, the bell crank lever L is oscillated by reason of the-antifriction roller Z moving outwardly by reason of the passing beneath it of the cam surfaces K of greater radius than the cam surfaces K This oscillation of the bell crank lever -L oscillates the switch M, through the medium of the link .L', from the position shown in Fig. 1 into a 1 position in which the blades M will engage the fixed contacts m such oscillation of the SWltCll instantly disengaging the blade -M This movement cylinder of the machine;

The reversal in the direction of rotation of the cylinder, of course, reverses the direction of rotation of' the trunnion B, so that -by r'e verse thedirection of rotation of the distance corresponding to the surface of the cam K the roller neutral position, such the needs 4o swings the plate N upwardly about the post 0 as a fulcrum, such movement being permitted, by the slot n moving relatively to post 0 extending therethrough. This oscillation of the plate N is effected through the engagement of the stud g on the lever G with the inclined edge at "the left of the notch 02 in the plate. Immediately upon each projection f passing beneath the antifriction roller on the lower end of the lever G, the

latter is oscillated toward the right by reason of the weight of the plate N applied to the lever through the engagement of the edge of the notch n with the stud 9 The lever G is therefore returned to its central position in the path of the next proection f, while at the same time the ratchet wheel J, andwith it the cam K, have been stepped toward the right. 1

When the cam .has been moved relatively to the lower end of the bell crank lever L a Z moves inwardly on to the shoulder ermitting the oscillation of the bell crank ever L by the tension of the spring m exerted through the ball crank lever m of theswitch and the connecting link L. During the instant that the roller Z rests upon the shoulder 70?, the switch M is in a accomplished only momentari y, as the momentum of the cylinder causes the same to continue its rotation and thereby rotate the cam K the distance of one tooth of the ratchet wheel J, so that the cam surfaces K pass under the roller Z. This movement of the bell crank lever L permits the spring m to oscillate the switch M to the position shown in Fig. 1, in which the circuit through the blade M and fixed contact m has been broken and a circuit established through the blade M and fixed contact m to reverse the direction of the motor, and consequently the direction of rotation of the cylinder. The cylinder continues to rotate in its reversed direction until the cam surface K has passed the antifrlction roller Z on"theinner end of the bell crank lever L, and the inclined surface k which connects the cam surface K with the cam surface K oscillates the bell crank lever L and again reverses th motor through the oscillation of the switch M. The inclined" surfaces 70 and the shoulder 10 which connect the adjacent ends of the cam surfaces K and K are important in that the antifriction roller Z rests upon the inclined surface 70 during the oscillation of the'ratchet wheel J a distance "of one tdoth, and during that interval retains the switch M in a' neutral position,

while the shoulder Z0 accomplishes a similar neutral osition being 1 within the bottom of the casing S object when the roller Z passes from the cam surface K to the cam surface K namely, it supports the roller Z during the interval of the movement of the ratchet wheel a distance of one tooth, and hence retains the switch M in a neutral position during such interval. The cam surfaces, to ether with the inclined contacting surfaces and the shoulder k serve to so actuate the switch M that the motor is driven in one direction, is then disconnected from the current, is then driven in a reversed direction, and then is again disconnected from the current.

Should the operation of discontinued at a time when the switch-M is in a' neutral position, it may be moved so as to engage the blade M with the fixed contact m or to engage fixed contact m by moving the rod R, mounted upon the end frame A of the machine, such rod being provided with pins r and 7, either of which may engage the lever G and oscillate the same a distance of one tooth of the ratchet wheel J', to move the cam the slight distance necessary to per mit theoscillation of the bell crank lever L to a position in which the switch M will be moved into one of its circuit-closing positions.

- In' the modified form of our invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the switch for reversing the current to the motor is mounted on one end of the tank adjacent the mechanism for oscillating the same. In this form of our invention a sprocket wheel S is fixed.

the machine I be the blade M with the shaft is mounted in the lower end of a casingvs having a base plate 8 fixed to the adjacent end Wall of the tank of the washing machine. distant radial projections f similar to the ring F having projections f on the form of our invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,'is fixed upon the stub shaft 8 and located projections f successively engage and oscillate the lever G, which, through the mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, effect the oscillation of the bell crank lever L for actuating the switch. Inasmuch as the mechanism actuated by the projections f for oscillating the bell crank lever L,in the form of our invention shown in Figs. 4

and 5, is the'same in construction and operation as the correspondingly designated mechanism of the form of our invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, detailed description thereof need not be repeated. The bell crank lever L is connected by a link T with a crank arm t, fixed to a rock shaft T ournaled upon the bearings t suitably sup- The A ring F having'equi ported upon a base T fixed to the back, plate 8 of the casing S Oppositely' roecting contact blades U and U are ed to the rock shaft T, and are adapted to alternately engage stationary contacts u{ and u mounted upon the base T spring V is connected at one end to the base plate 8', and at its other end to a crank arm fixed to the rock shaft T, the tension of the spring serving to oscillate the rock shaft S01 as to move the contact blade U into engagement with the fixed contact u ,'and to simultaneously .disengage the contact blade U from the fixed contact u such action of'the spring only occurring when the cam surface K of the cam K- passes beneath the roller Z on the short-arm of the bell cranklever L. Fixed to the end of the rock shaft T, which projects through the casing S, is a lever W for manually oscillatin the rock shaft T to engage the contact lade U with the fixed contact us, should the switch blades have been left in a .neutral position when the machine was previously stopped.

The operation ofthe form of our invention shown in Figs. 4 and5 is substantially the same as the operation of the form of our invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.- The rotation of the cylinder serves to'periodically reverse the current to the motor'C and which meshes with a larger gear 03 thereby reverse the direction of rotation ofv the cylinder. The motor C is operativel connected to rotate the cylinder throng any suitable train of gears, such for .instance as gear a? fixed to the motor shaft, which in turn meshes with a gearwheel 6 in mesh with a lar e gear wheel 6 fixed to the trunnion 0% the'cylinder on the opposite side of the machine from that shown in Fig. 4 t

From the fo egoin it will be observed that we have invente animproved mechanism for reversing the direction of movement of a machine, which although illustratedand described in connection with an electrically dr'iven cylinder washing 'machine, is applicable to other machines, whether driven by an electric motor or other power connection. 3 "lo we have illustrated-and described cumstances may require or as maybe deemed expedient.

We claimz+ l 1. A machinecomprising a movable 'mem- .ber', means for driving said member, a movable projection actuated by the movement the direction of movement of said driving means.

' 2. A machine comprising a rotary member, driving means for said member, a movable projection actuated by the rotation of said member, an oscillatory lever extending into the path of said projection and oscillated thereby} a pawl on said lever, a ratchet-wheel rotated by the successive engagements therewith of said pawl, a weight "lifted by each oscillation of said lever by said projection, said weight serving to re turn said lever into the path of said projection and to thereby impart movementjto 1 said ratchet wheel, a cam movable with said ratchet wheel, and mechanism operated by said cam to periodically reverse the direction'of movement of'said driving means.

3. A machine. comprising a rotary member, an electric motor for rotating said mem? her, a movable projection actuated by the rotation of said member, an oscillatory lever extending into the path of said projection and oscillated thereby, a pawl on said lever, a ratchet 'wheel rotated ,by thesuccessive enga' ements therewith of said pawl, a weight ifted by each oscillation of said lever by said projection, said weight serving to return said lever, into the ath -of said projection and to thereby 1' part movement to said ratchet wheel, a cam movable with said ratchet, wheel, a switch for effecting the reversal of current through tween said. cam and switch forloscillating the latter toperiodically reverse the current saidjmotor, and operative connections beamovable member,

said member, a'reciprocatingelement extend ing into' the path of said .projection and .moved thereby in one'direotion to a position but'of the path thereof, a gravity member engaging said reciprocating element to returnthe same intotlie path of said projection after each movement thereof by said projection, and mechanism actuated: by the reciprocation of said elenientto periodically reverse. the direction of. movement of said a A machin'efcomprisi'n .rotarylmeinber, driving means for, sai member,- a movableprojection actuated-by the rotation of of said member',"an oscillatorylever extendsaidmember, an oscillatory lever extending 13-0 into the path of said projection and oscillated thereby to a position out of the path thereof, a gravity member engaging said lever to return the same into the path of said projection after each oscillation thereof by the engagement therewith of said projection, and mechanism actuated by the oscillation of said lever to periodically reverse the direction of rotation of said driving means.

6. A machine comprising a rotary member, an electric motor for rotating said memher, a projection rotated by said member, an oscillatory lever extending into the path of said projection and oscillated thereby, a

gravity member engaging said lever to normally maintain the same in the path of said projection and to return said lever to said normal position after each oscillation thereof by said projection, and mechanism actuated by the oscillation of said lever to periodically reverse the current through said motor.

7 A machine comprising a movable member, means for driving said member, a series of spaced projections rotated by said member, a reciprocating element extending into the 'path of said projections and successively moved by them, a gravity member engaging said element to return the same into the path of said projections after each movement thereof by them, and mechanism actuated by the reciprocations of said element to periodically reverse the direction of movement of said driving means.

8. A machine comprising a rotary member, driving means for rotating said member, a series of spaced projections rotated by said men1ber,'a lever extending into the.

' by the oscillation of said latter lever to effect path of said projections and successively oscillated by them, a gravity member engaging said lever to return the same into the path of said projections after each oscillation thereof, and mechanism actuated by the oscillation of said lever to periodically reverse the direction of said driving means.

9. A machine comprising a rotary member, an electric motor for rotating said member, a series of spaced projections rotated by said member, a lever extending into the path of said projections and successively oscillated by them, a gravity member engaging said lever to return the same into the path of said projection after each oscillation thereof, and mechanism actuated by the oscillation of said lever to periodically reverse the current through said motor.

10. A machine comprisinga movable member, driving means for said member, a series of projections rotated bysaid member, an element extending into the path of said projections and successively moved by them, gravity means engaging said element to return the same into the path of said projecti (ms after each successive movement thereof by said projections, a pawl on said element, a ratchet wheel rotated by the successive engagements therewith of said pawl, a cam movable with said ratchet wheel and having two curved surfaces of different radius connected by an intermediate surface, a lever engaging said cam and oscillated thereby, and mechanism operated by said lever to effect the periodical reversal of the direction of movement of said driving means.

11. A machine comprising a rotary member, driving means for rotating said member, a series of projections rotated by saidmember, a lever extending into the path of said projections and oscillated through engagement therewith, a gravity member engaging said lever to return the same into the path of said projections after the successive oscillations thereof by said projections, a pawl on said lever, a ratchet wheel rotated by the successive engagements therewith of said pawl, a cam movable with said ratchet Wheel, a lever engaging said cam and oscillated thereby, and means operated O. M. LEARY, J. J.,Ho:1RoER. 

